Karnataka state byelection for Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru urban district and Sira in Tumakuru district has been scheduled on November 11, 2020 and the elections to four MLC seats two each related to Teachers Constituencies and Graduate Constituencies-- are scheduled on October 28. Due to corona virus pandemic, the postal ballot option originally for the disabled and elderly people above 80 years is extended for people who tested positive for coronavirus or undergoing home or institutional quarantine.
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The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka Sanjiv Kumar, has issued the order for postal ballot option. An application from the electoral attached with the copy of corona positive test result or the instructions from the competent health authorities that show that the applicant is hospitalised in the state or in quarantine within the state due to COVID-19. On receiving the application, the EC will verify and approve the postal ballot option. The returning officer will make all necessary arrangements to deliver postal ballot and get it collected from the said elector before the date fixed for poll in the constituency. "The voter will be intimated in advance about the date and approximate time of visit of poll officials. Such intimation may be given through SMS on the mobile phone number wherever the same has been mentioned in the application in Form-12D," the order read.
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As a precautionary measure and COVID19 management protocol, the election commission has made masks, sanitisers, thermal screening and social distancing mandatory for the voters willing to vote. The polling officers will be given face shields and gloves. The EC has permitted door-to-door campaign and public meetings with strict adherence to the coronavirus guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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